Aircel restores 2G services in most parts of Kashmir

New Delhi: Private telecom operator Aircel on Sunday said that it has restored its 2G services in most part of the flood-hit Kashmir valley enabling its stranded subscribers to connect with their families and friends.

Aircel's 2G services are operating in Anantnag, Shopian, Bandipora, Kulgam, Pulwama, Srinagar, Budgam, Bonigam and Ganderbal. Aircel 3G services are also up and running, it said in a statement.

The firm has 2.1 million customers in the Jammu and Kashmir region.

The company is working with the local administration and the Army to ensure seamless connectivity on its 2G and 3G network in the region.

Aircel has offered its network to all other mobile service operators to help the people of J&K to connect with their families and friends, it added.

State-run BSNL had last week said it had restored 92 base transceiver stations (BTS) or mobile towers which were affected by the floods and overall 473 towers are working in the Valley whereas 934 is the number for whole state.

In Srinagar city alone, 55 towers were up and running, BSNL had said.

In its support to help the stranded people and enable easy communication, Aircel is deploying mobile charging booths to make calls free of cost. The booths are equipped with handsets, sufficient talk-time and mobile charging units to enable free calls, the firm said.

Besides, Aircel has rolled out Short Code Based application (SEND JK FIND <NAME & LOCATION> TO 1299), wherein subscribers can send details on a toll free number and the same is being flashed to the Army Twitter handle. About 800 request have been registered in last 24 hours, it added.

"As the markets are closed, Aircel Credit is Extended to entire base so as to enable subscriber continue talking. Subscribers can also avail a top up on the loan." it said.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had said on Saturday that as per the figures available with the state government so far, 129 people had lost lives in Jammu region whereas 30-35 people were found dead in Kashmir Valley.

According to unofficial estimates, the death toll was around 250.

To support postpaid subscribers, credit limits of have been enhanced up to 150 per cent to ensure the subscribers continue using their phones, Aircel said.

All the renewals on VAS (Data, WAP and VAS) have been put on hold so that subscribers have sufficient balance for VOICE and they can connect, it added.

The company is also stocking up relief material like medicines, water, non-perishable food items at their offices.